Six Nations: Ireland 27-22 England Player Ratings

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Post on Feb 03, 2025

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Six Nations: Ireland 27-22 England - Player Ratings

Ireland secured a hard-fought 27-22 victory over England in a thrilling Six Nations clash, solidifying their position at the top of the table. While the final scoreline might suggest a comfortable win, the reality was a fiercely contested match that saw both teams display moments of brilliance and frustrating errors. Let's delve into the player ratings, analyzing individual performances that contributed to this captivating encounter.

Ireland Player Ratings

Ireland's performance was a testament to their collective strength, with several players delivering standout displays.

Starting XV:

• Joey Carbery (9/10): A masterclass from the fly-half. His game management was exceptional, his kicking impeccable, and his distribution consistently created opportunities for his backline. A truly commanding performance.
• Bundee Aki (8/10): A powerhouse in midfield. His physicality disrupted England's attack repeatedly, and his ability to break the gain line was crucial.
• James Lowe (7/10): Delivered several crucial carries and showed his pace on a couple of occasions, though perhaps could have been more involved in the attacking game.
• Mack Hansen (8/10): A constant threat on the wing. His elusive running and intelligent support play were key to Ireland's attacking potency. A standout performance.
• Andrew Conway (7/10): Solid defensively and offered a reliable option on the wing. A dependable performance.
• Caelan Doris (8/10): A tireless worker at the breakdown, winning crucial turnovers and carrying strongly. His impact on the game was immense.
• Josh van der Flier (9/10): Dominated the breakdown, consistently disrupting England's ball, and made several crucial tackles. A man-of-the-match contender.
• Peter O'Mahony (7/10): Led the team effectively and offered strong carries and physical presence in the pack.
• Tadhg Furlong (8/10): A rock in the scrum, providing a solid platform for Ireland's attack. His scrummaging prowess was instrumental in controlling the set-piece.
• Dan Sheehan (7/10): Effective at the lineout and provided a dynamic presence in the loose.
• James Ryan (7/10): Strong in the lineout and made his presence felt in the physical battle.

Replacements:

• Replacements (7/10): The replacements maintained the momentum and provided fresh legs when needed. No individual stood out significantly.

England Player Ratings

England's performance was inconsistent, with flashes of brilliance interspersed with periods of uncharacteristic errors.

Starting XV:

• Owen Farrell (6/10): A mixed bag. Showed glimpses of his usual tactical acumen, but his kicking accuracy let him down at times.
• Marcus Smith (7/10): Offered some exciting moments with his running game, but needed more control and accuracy in his decision-making.
• Henry Slade (6/10): Provided some solid midfield work but lacked the impact needed to truly influence the game.
• Max Malins (7/10): Showed some dangerous attacking potential but lacked consistent support.
• Anthony Watson (6/10): Solid in defense but had limited opportunities to impact the game offensively.
• Tom Curry (7/10): A tenacious presence at the breakdown, but couldn't quite match the dominance of the Irish backrow.
• Jack Willis (6/10): Worked tirelessly at the breakdown but his impact was somewhat limited.
• Ellis Genge (6/10): A strong presence in the scrum, but was outmuscled by the Irish pack in certain moments.
• Jamie George (6/10): Solid performance in the lineout, but needs a more dominant performance in the next match.
• Maro Itoje (6/10): Had some impactful moments but was largely contained by Ireland's strong forward pack.
• Kyle Sinckler (6/10): Showed moments of strength but was outmatched by the dominance of the Irish front row.

Replacements:

• Replacements (6/10): The replacements couldn't quite change the momentum of the game.

Conclusion: A Hard-Fought Victory

Ireland's victory was well-deserved, showcasing their superior all-round game and clinical finishing. England fought valiantly, but their inconsistent performance and errors ultimately cost them. The match highlighted the growing gulf in class between the top two teams in the Six Nations, but England will undoubtedly learn from this experience and strive to improve in the upcoming matches.